Infused sweets are tailored to your taste

With Halloween right around the corner, have you ever considered making your own sweet treats? One option for your adults-only celebration are cannabis infused gummies, which are easy to make and tailor to your individual needs with fun flavors and varying amounts of THC and/or CBD. Your homemade gummies will be healthier than many store-bought, non-cannabis gummies, which are sometimes full of sugars, dyes, and artificial flavors, by using natural sweeteners and flavors. And for some extra fun, use various silicon molds in various shapes. Hearts, bears and even leafs are great for any occasion; to make your Halloween party extra spooky, look for molds of jack-o-lanterns, skulls, or ghosts. Much of the interest in infused-gummies coincides with the popularity of microdosing, which has become popular with those who reluctant to use cannabis in less precise ways, like smoking or vaping. A microdose allows a small, controlled amount of THC to be ingested, which is difficult to do with edibles of baked goods. Gummy edibles are bite-sized, allowing discreet consumption of a specific dosage based on individual tolerance. It’s key to remember that these cute little candies can be potent, and sublingual application can often increase the potency and speed of onset: You can always take more, but you can’t take less. Gummy products can also be purchased at some area cannabis retailers, but may go by different names and descriptions, like chewables, “gummy-like” candies or gourmet French-style gelée treats, Since Washington has more scrutiny regarding what form cannabis candies can take, other states like Colorado have a wider range of consumer options. Local regulators are concerned about anything that could be perceived as child-friendly in packaging and labeling, so manufacturers can’t make products in the shape of humans, animals, or fruit. There are also limits on colors. Outside of 502 shops you can find CBD gummies, which only contain tiny amounts of THC. Many of these are made with hemp oil, which makes them non-psychoactive. They also may contain other cannabis compounds such as CBG, CBN, or other supplements and/or vitamins. Some brands, such as Forest Pharms, a cannabis and hemp processor in the Spokane area, use nanotechnology to further process the raw material, removing any impurities before infusing their Vitality Nano Hemp Jelly Beans. Owner Mike Forest says when you eat a nanotized CBD gummy, the active compound is absorbed straight into cells through the digestive system, making them highly efficient. Microdosing advocates say using CBD gummies throughout the day can help with various conditions such as pain, anxiety, and stress, as well as soothing exercise-induced inflammation and relieving queasiness. Other Washington choices include Phat Panda’s Fruit Drops, Craft Elixirs Pioneer Squares, or Northwest Cannabis Solution’s Marmas, which feature sours. Basic Gummy 2 cups juice or liquid of choice (preferably natural, with limited or no sugar) sweetener (stevia or honey), to taste 1/2 cup grass-fed gelatin 24 drops of cannabis tincture (I used 24 drops, since the recipe makes roughly 24 servings, but you can adjust the amount based on the size of your molds and the strength of your tincture.) Warm the liquid and sweetener to a simmer on stovetop. Remove liquid from heat and mix in gelatin by whisking or blending. Stir in tincture. Pour mixture into molds and allow to set in the fridge until firm. The Adventurous Gummy 2/3 cups fruit purée, thawed 1/3 cup water 1 tablespoon lemon juice 3 tablespoons grass-fed gelatin 2-3 teaspoons cannabis tincture (depending on desired potency) granulated sugar (or substitute) citic acid (optional) In a medium saucepan, add fruit purée, water and lemon juice, and cook on medium-low heat until thoroughly incorporated. Add cannabis tincture, whisk well. Slowly add three tablespoons of gelatin, continually whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and use a medicine dropper, or clean condiment bottle, to add the mixture to silicon molds or baking dish. Place filled molds/dish in the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes. Remove gummies from molds or cut into bite-sized pieces. Toss in granulated sugar to prevent them from sticking together. For a sour flavor, add citric acid to your sugar.